Mangrove Information Center of Denpasar

The southern part of Denpasar is naturally protected by green belt of mangrove forest. Such a well maintained forest is open to visitors. While having a stroll, visitors can get additional knowledge on the use of these coastal plants with respect to the local ecosystem. Further details about the program can be obtained at the Mangrove Information Center located on Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, Suwung Kauh or between Kuta and Sanur.
The Mangrove forest extends across some 1,373.05 hectares of land, while the one intended for recreation is 200 hectares and managed by Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park or Tahura. Its office lies in the middle of this area. For educational and conservational purposes, it has established nursery plots of approximately 7,700 square-meters, wooden trails, huts to rest and floating decks.
According to research on the distribution of mangrove species and availability of seed collecting forests on the islands of Bali and Lombok, in the mangrove forests was found: (1) 13 types of major mangrove in Benoa Bay including Rhizophora, Sonneratia, Bruguiera, Avicennia and Ceriops; (2) 9 types of minor mangrove such as Xylocarpus, Aegiceras and Heritiera; (3) 28 types of associated mangrove including Acanthus, Ipomea, Barringtonia and Clerodendoron; (4) 62 types of bird; (5) 32 types of crustaceans; and (6) 10 types of reptile. These species appear in showcases at the mangrove center.
Condition of the mangrove forest has declined through the years because of alteration of its function as shown by layers of shrimp embankments, and the excessive falling of trees. Department of Indonesian Forestry took measures to improve the condition of the Suwung Kauh mangrove forest through the Development Project of Sustainable Mangrove Forest Management aided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), resulting in a model sustainable management. Other results of the project are the issuance of the Guidebook on Planting and Seabed and a booklet on the mangroves in this country, and the rehabilitation of 253 hectares of mangrove forest.
Though action has been taken to improve the condition, the deterioration of mangroves has worsened as the efforts have not been sufficient. The budget has also been limited due to the economic crisis, which meant that the project was only continued from 15 May 2001 by means of informative action of clarification on sustainable mangrove forestry management.
The Mangrove Information Center Project had a support action to increase the awareness and actions by related parties projected to end on 14 May 2004. There have been two main sub-programs and three supporting sub-programs, targeted at developing the training activities and realizing the training tests to formulate a training program and the execution of a range of surveys as well as case studies.
The sub-program consists of eco-tourism towards the development of a mangrove park at the project site by establishing a visitors’ information center, museum, touch pool and trail, and conducting tour guide training with an aim to disseminate information useful to the general public. On the other hand, the environmental education sub-program aims to provide the public with the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge about the mangrove ecosystem through various activities.

Celuk Village

Celuk Village

Celuk Village is the famous village in Bali as a tourist destination cause of the local residents is very proactive and full of innovation to the gold and silver crafting. This countryside is located in sub district of Sukawati, Gianyar Regency and owns the individuality and excellence in production of gold and silver crafting. Most of them are Balinese professional, artistic and skillful of design development related to the silver and gold crafting.

Places to Visit in Bali

The productions of gold and silver at this village have penetrated to the local, national and international market. It can be measured from the type of artwork result and variation of ornament, good as present and also export commodity. The type of gold and silver craft has been produced in this countryside are covering various of rings, bangles, chokers, earrings, mother of pearls, Tusuk Konde, broach and other types. Beside of that, Celuk's workers are able to response the market demands and produce the modern product like medal, maket and culture symbol. In spanning of artistic growth history, the silver and gold crafting had been started by a group of family pertained by Clan Pande. From this family circle, the activity of gold and silver crafting has disseminated to entire society as a top profession which are previously as the farmer. In year 1970's decades, it has been happened the change of countryside society culture significantly from agrarian society structure to industrial society structure of crafting. Even nowadays, some of them have jumped again to the economic structure of service by focusing in tourism industry. The change and jumping movement of these structures have brought the new positive impact for prosperity. Celuk Village, Kuta and Ubud are the prosperous countryside in Bali by the higher resident's income cause of tourism.

Location

Celuk Village is strategically located in main road from Denpasar to Gianyar regency which is about 5 km from Denpasar town. The next door villages are Batubulan Village which is famous of Barong dance and stone carving, Singapadu Village with the art village equipped by places of recreation such as Bird Park and Bali Zoo Park, Batuan Village with the traditional painting, Guang village with the wood carving and Sukawati as a center of art market. Along way of Celuk Village about 2 km, we will find in the left and right side the various type of gold and silver shop which are opened to the domestic and international tourist. It is also inside of this village, we will find the activities and workshop of crafting which are ready to be ordered in small or huge number.